Double-acting slide fastener



May 16, 1950 E. DUTCH DOUBLE ACTING SLIDE FASTENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 8, 1945 EME'KY DW INVENTOR BY= /WM1 i is ATTORNEY.

May 16, 1950 E. DUTCH 2,508,147

oousuz: ACTING suns FASTENER Filed Oct. 8, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 renlsli :1 Illlllllll I I Illlllllll EMERY DUTCH,

IN VEN TOR.

Patented May 16, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 6 Claims.

This invention relates to the so-called slide fastener devices, and has for its main object to provide a device of this type, which, so to say, will be double acting.

In slide fastener devices now used or heretofore proposed, a closin and Opening member slides along and between two rows of locking elements, and through its movement in one direction closes and in the other direction opens the device. In my present invention said member moving in either direction will continuall open the slide fastener in front of it and close the same at its rear.

Another aim of this invention is to provide a double acting slide fastener, as has been characterized hereinbefcre, in which a member will be adapted to slide along a separation line in a flexible object, like a bracelet, belt, etc., and will stay locked and secured in any position thereof during its travel, securely closing the separation line, both, in front, and in the rear of it.

Still another object of m invention is to apply my novel double acting or floating slide fastener to appropriate articles, like a bracelet, belt, eta, where an adjusting of the active portion of such an article is desired, and where it is desired to secure the same in such adjusted position.

.Another important object of my invention is to provide an element which may slidably move along a separation line in a flexible article, like a bracelet, chain, belt, piece of fabric, etc., and which element will automatically be secured in any of its positions so that an appropriate member may be secured thereto at any desired location in that separation line.

Other objects of my invention will .be partly pointed out and partly apparent as the specificationof the same proceeds.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and accompanying the same:

Fig. 1 is a, fragmentary, semi-diagrammatic plan view of a slide fastener constructed according to my invention, portions of the same being broken away, and other portions being shown insection;

Fig. '2 is a side elevational view of the same, other portions being shown broken away;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a bracelet watch to the chain of which my invention has been applied.

lapping portions of the bracelet chain atone end thereof, as indicated by the line 4-4 in Fig. 3, and being on amuch largerscale than'Fi'gsil no 3.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the over- Fig. '5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the overlapping portions at the other end of the chain as indicated by line 5-5 in Fig. 3, this figure being on the same scale as Fig. 4.

Fig. Sis an elevational view of the hinge indicated in Fig. 4.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail by characters of reference, the numeral Ml indicates my novel double acting slide fastener, in general, the embodiment shown using one of the well known types of the so :called zipper slide fasteners. Said fastener, as will be understood by those versed in the art, is composed of two oppositely placed rows H and 12 of interlocked elements which are releasable from one another, or may be put into a closed locking position, as desired.

A slidable sleeve like member 13 is arranged around 9, portion of the two rows of oppositely placed locking elements II and I2, said sleeve being wider in the center, as at M, and being narrower at both ends,-as at 1'5 and [6. A central hollow pin portion H is integral with the .top and the bottom of the slidable sleeve l3. The sleeve I3 and the central hollow pin l1, operate similarly to the closing sleeve and the opening or releasing pin, respectively, in any of the usual well known zipper slide fasteners, but in my invention, both the sleeve l3 and the central separating pm I! are double acting, that is, they open the two rows of locking elements II and I2 in front of them and close said two rows to the rear of them when they move in either direction, to the right as indicated by arrow [8, or the left asindicated-by arrow 19. This effect is brought about by making the closure sleeve 1 3 longer than is the case with the present zipper fasteners, and making both its ends constricted, .as shown at I5 and IE, whereby moving the sleeve !.3 along the rows II and I2 of lockingelements, the rear end thereof will always close the elements Ill and I2 which were opened by the cente'rpin l1, and said center pin will provide for such opening in both directions.

In a word, the pin I"! will open the respective locking elements -II and 12 only around its circumference and as far as the bulging out portion of the sleeve I3 will permit it, and all .the rest of the locking elements 11 and I2, both, :in front and to the rear of the sliding sleeve I3, whether it will move to the right or to the'left, will always be kept locked.

However, in addition to the normal locking action of the slide fastener element :1! and :12, I may employ extra locking means to secure the sleeve 13 in the position to which it arrived. One such extra locking means is shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

slidable pin 50 is arranged in the throughgoing elliptical vertical tube ll, said tube being formed in the center of the sliding sleeve 13, secured at the top and bottom to the top and bottom plates of said sleeve, or possibly being integral therewith. Within the sleeve I3 and between the two rows of locking elements I I and 12, said pin 50 carries a disk while its top may project over the upper surface 52 of the sleeve and may have an operating button 53 secured thereon.

Normally pin 50 is in its neutral initial position, in the wide center of the tube l1 (and sleeve I3) as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Disk 5| slides in slots 54 in the longitudinal sides of the tube l1 and projects therethrough at the center to a small distance only, in each side. In such a center position of the pin 50, the disk 5| will not reach the two rows of elements H and i2 Widely separated at that place.

When, however, the slide 13 has been moved to a desired position, pin 50 will be moved to one end of the tube H, as shown by the full line position thereof in Figs. 1 and 2, it being shown at the lefthand end of the tube. At such an end position of the pin 50, the two sides of the disk 5| will press the elements H and I2, at that place, against the vertical side walls 55 and 56 of the sleeve l3, and this way lock said sleeve by frictional brake action.

In Fig. 3, I show one application of my novel double acting locked slide fastener.

The figure shows a Wrist watch 30, with its bracelet chain, generally indicated by the numeral 3|. Said chain, in the embodiment shown will be made of two slide fasteners 32 and 33 of my invention, each being secured at one of its ends to the wrist watch, as indicated at 34 and 35, while their other ends 35 and 31 will be free.

Opening and closing slidable sleeve members 38 and 39 are inserted into the respective halves 32 and 33 of the bracelet 3i, moving therein and being constructed similarly as has been explained hereinbefore in connection with Figs. 1 and 2.

The end 36 of the half 32 of the bracelet 3| is secured to the sliding sleeve member 39 in the other half 33 thereof, and this arrangement will serve for adjusting the bracelet as desired by the wearer.

It will be seen that when the sleeve 39 is moved in its slide fastener 33 outwardly, as indicated by the arrow 48, the bracelet 3| will be made wider, while upon a reverse moving thereof (arrow 4|), the bracelet will be tightened. Sleeve 39 will be locked in any of its positions in fastener 33, and the bracelet this way will be secured in its adjusted position.

. In Fig. 4 I show one embodiment of securing the chain end 36 to the underside of the sliding member 39, and in this embodiment, a sleeve 60 will be secured on said underside, and a pin 6| will be passed therethrough, the two ends of the pin being pivotall engaged by the sleeves 62 at the two sides of the chain end 36.

To further secure the adjusted position of the bracelet and, mainly, to take up the loose end 31, the second sliding sleeve 38, with its associated parts, is arranged in the slide fastener 32. This sliding sleeve 38 may have an oppropriate recess into which may be secured the free end 3'! of the other fastener chain 33, as by a hook 43. Inthe embodiment in Fig. 5, the ellipticaltube 4 I1 is used for said recess, the upper plate of the sliding member 38 being extended thereover, as indicated at 52a. The securing pin 50 will be omitted in member 38.

After the bracelet has been adjusted by the sliding of sleeve member 39, in chain 33, the other sleeve member 38 in chain 32 will be moved as necessary to secure the free end 31 of chain 33 thereinto, as will be understood, and in this manner to keep the inactive portion 31a of fastener 33 secured and taut.

' I have shown my invention as applied to a bracelet, but, obviously its constructions and principles are applicable to any similar device, like belts or hands, and in a way, the two parts of a bracelet and the watch in between, jointly. is a band.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that changes and Variations may be resorted to in the elements, construction and combination of my invention, and I reserve my rights to such changes and variations as are within the spirit of this specification, and the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

What I claim as new and want to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an elongated adjustable article having flexible end portions, a separation line in one, the first, of said portions, oppositely placed cooperating interlocked elements along the two sides of said separation line, a member adapted to move in said separation line in either direction and to open said locked elements in front of it and close them at its rear, whereby it will be secured in any of its positions by the elements locked in said line at both sides in the front and to the rear thereof, and means to secure the other, the second, flexible end portion to said movable member whereby the size of said article may be adjusted and the same secured in such adjusted position.

2. In a device, as set forth in claim 3, each of said sliding members including a part embracing said locking elements and being slidable along the same, both end portions of it being narrowed to force said elements to each other and into locked position, and the center portion of said part being wider to allow outward movement of said elements when separated, the respective portion of the securing means for the end of said first flexible portion being carried on the exposed outer surface of said second sliding member.

3. In an elongated adjustable article having flexible end portions, a separation line in one, the first, of said portions, oppositely placed cooperating interlocked elements along the two sides of said separation line, a member adapted to move in said separation line in either direction and to open said locked elements in front of it and close them at its rear, whereby it Will be secured in any of its positions by the elements locked in said line at both sides in the front and to the rear thereof, and means to secure the other, the second, flexible end portion to said sliding member whereby the size of said article may be adjusted and the same secured in such adjusted position, a similar line of separation in said second flexible portion, having slide fastener locking elements and a second sliding member therein, similarly acting as those in saidfirst ticle by said first sliding member, said second.

sliding member may be appropriately moved in said second separation line carrying the end of said first flexible portion secured thereto to keep the overlapping portions of said first and second band portions fastened to and taut on one another.

4. In an elongated adjustable article having flexible end portions, a separation line in one, the first, of said portions, oppositely placed cooperating interlocked elements along the two sides of said separation line, a member adapted to move in said separation line in either direction and to open said locked elements in front of it and close them at its rear, whereby it will be secured in any of its positions by the elements locked in said line at both sides in the front and to the rear thereof, and means to secure the other, the second, flexible end portion to said sliding member whereby the size of said article may be adjusted and the same secured in such adjusted position, said movable member having a part embracing said locking elements and being slidable along the same, both end portions of it being narrowed to force said elements to each other and into locked position, and the centre portion of the same being wider to allow outward movements of said elements when separated, said movable member carrying separating means being in the form of an elliptical tube, a pin movable in said tube in the direction of said separation line,

a disk on said pin slidable in slots in the sides of said elliptical tube, wherein in a center position of the pin, said disk will be inactive, but in any end position thereof the disk will press said locking elements against the side walls of said part and thereby cause locking frictional action therebetween.

5. In an elongated adjustable article having flexible end portions, a separation line in one, the

first, of said portions, a member adapted to move 4 in said separation line in either direction, means along said separation line adapted to temporarily lock said member in any of its positions, and a means to secure the other, the second flexible end portion of said article to said movable member, whereby a moving of said member will carry said second end portion along said first end portion inwardly or outwardly and thereby adjust the size of a loop formed by said article.

6. In an elongated adjustable article having flexible end portions, a separation line in one, the first, of said portions, a member adapted to move in said separation line in either direction, means along said separation line adapted to temporarily lock said member in any of its positions, and a means to secure the other, the second flexible end portion of said article to said movable member, whereby a moving of said member will carry said second end portion along said first end portion inwardly or outwardly and thereby adjust the size of a loop formed by said article, a second separation line in said second end portion, a second member movable in said second separation line in either direction, means along said second separation adapted to temporarily lock said second member in any of its positions, said first flexible end portion of the article being secured to said second movable member whereby upon adjusting the size of the loop formed by the article through said first member, the device may be additionally locked and the overhanging part of said first flexible end thereof secured in a smooth condition by appropriately moving said second member in its separation line.

EMERY DUTCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 316,235 Church Apr. 21, 1885 1,779,068 Krementz Oct. 21, 1930 2,344,049 Morin Mar. 14, 1944 2,393,551 Morin Jan. 22, 1946 2,394,732 Williams et al Feb. 12, 1946 

